The researcher on a seven year project aimed at identifying the value of Maori language says it will help with future decisions on where resources may be most effective.

Te Kura Roa: Whaihua research project was commissioned by the Maori centre for research excellence, Nga Pae o te Maramatanga, and led by professors Rawinia Higgins and Poia Rewi.

It dealt with the experiences of individuals and whanau involved in kohanga reo and the community Maori language network Te Ataarangi..

It has published its findings in seven reports highlighting different aspect s of the research.

Researcher Vincent Olsen-Reeder says while there are now many whanau where Maori is spoken in the home, it is across generations.

"Where we’ve got the grandparents speaking to the parents and the parents speaking to the children, we don't necessarily have children speaking to children, parents speaking to parents, so our big take away from this research is that is where we can focus our efforts over the next little while to get that kind of thing happening," Dr Olsen-Reeder says.